Automatic unlocking separable connector



March 28,- 1939. I w A. WULLE 2,152,125

AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING SEPARABLE CONNECTOR Filed Aug. 2, 1937 2Sheets-Sheet l March 28, 1939. w. A. WULLE AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING SEFARABLECONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 2, 1937 IllIl/IIIIII/Ill/Il/LPatented Mar. 28, 1 939 i t i AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING SEPARABLE CONNECTORWilliam A. Wulle, Chicago, 111., assignor to The Pyle-National Company,Chicago, 111., a corporation 01' New Jersey Application August 2, 1937,Serial No. 156,875

8 Claims. (Cl. 173-328) The present invention relates to an automaticThe accompanying drawings illustrate embodiunlocking separable connectorand has more parments of the present invention, and the views ticularreference to two-part separable'electrical thereof are as follows:connectors which are coupled and uncoupled Figure 1 is an elevationalview of a separable by relative endwi'se movement and relates toconnector made in accordance with the principles 5 means forautomatically uncoupling the memof the present invention and showing thetwo bers when abnormal pull is applied to the cables parts of theconnector in coupled or engaged 'r FFlCE connected to said members.position, and illustrating in dotted lines the The separable connectorsof the present inmeans for locking the members together in such ventionare particularly useful in making elecposition. l0 trical connectionsbetween trucks and trailers, in Figure 2 is a vfragmental developedelevational connecting electrical apparatus to main lines, also View,with parts in section, of the members as ilfor use with thermalcouplings, ignition equiplustrated in Figure 1, with the parts in lockedenment, remote control, lighting, and motor fixtures. gagement. 1 iiiThe connectors of the present invention are Figure 3 is a view similarto Figure 2 with small, of lightweight, and are positive locking, theparts appearing as when automatically unand so constructed as to preventaccidental dislocked. engagement of the parts, under any normal pull-Figure 4 is a view, partially in axial section, and ing strains imposedon the cables connected to partially in elevation, of the arrangement ofFig- Po the members of the connector. ure 1, the section being takensubstantially An object of the present invention is to prothrough thehood of Figure 1. vide an improved construction for such separableFigure 5 is an enlarged fragmntal sectional connectors wherebydisengagement of the parts is view, with parts in elevation, showing theman-'- prevented, under normal conditions of use, and ner of locking themembers of a connector to- :5 whereby the parts may be automaticallydiscongether. ,nected when subjected to severe pulling strains. Figuredis a view similar to Figure 1, in which Another object of the presentinvention is to the sleeve capable of limited rotative movement providean improved construction for two-part is carried by the receptacle endof the connector. electric separable connectors, which are normallyFigure '7 is a fragmental view, partially in axial connected togetheragainst endwise separation section and partially in horizontal section,show- .30 by locking means, one of which is carried by a ing therelationship of the parts of the connector sleeve mounted for limitedrotative movement on of Figure 6 when in locked position and with itsmember and which construction enables autothe sleeve in one position.

matic uncoupling of-the members on occurrence Figure 8 is a view similarto Figure 7 with the -r.-, of abnormal pull imposed on the cables tosuch sleeve moved to automatic unlocking position. members before thepulling force builds up to a Figure 9 is a transverse sectional viewtaken point where the cables might be torn loose from substantially inthe plane indicated by ,line the members of the connectors. IX--IX ofFigure 6.

A further object of the present invention is to Figure 10 is a sectiontaken along line X-X provide in a separable electric connector proofFigure'l, showing a spring for holding the vided with means forautomatically locking, tosleeve in normal or locking position. gether ofthe parts, with means for automatically The drawings will now beexplained. unlocking the parts when abnormal pull is im- In the form ofthe invention illustrated inFigposed in a direction tending to separatethe parts. ures l to 5 inclusive, the sleeve capable of limited A stillfurther object of the present invenrotative movement is on the plugmember, wheretion is to provide, in a separable electrical conas theform of the invention illustrated in Fignector of the type utilizing asleeve arranged for ures 6 to 9 inclusive has the sleeve capable oflimited rotative movement for locking purposes, limited rotativemovement on the receptacle means for automatically moving the sleeve inunmember.

locking direction on the occurrence of abnormal For convenience interminology, the receptacle 50 P 1 pp to the Cables ec ed to t e partsmember is herein used to designate that member of the connector.carrying the female contacts, while the plug mem- The above, other, andfurther objects of the her is the one carrying the plug contacts.present invention will be apparent from the fol- In the main, thepresent invention is described lowing description and accompanyingdrawings. and illustrated with the separable electric con- 55 nectors ofthe type illustrated in T. E. McDowell Patent No. 2,015,953, datedOctober 1, 1935.

The plug member A includes an insulating body of suitable shape and formcarrying the necessary number of plug contacts as may be desired.

The receptacle member B is provided with an insulating body carrying therequisite number of female contacts.

The plug A is provided with a neck 5 through which a cable 2 passes tothe interior of the plug to the plug contacts, in the usual manner. .Theneck is exteriorly threaded to receive a strain relief clamp 3 which isshaped to bear against a wedge-shaped rubber washer within the neck andsurrounding the cable to clamp the cable to the neck. In addition, thereis a semi-circular portion 3, integral with the part 3, for surroundinga portion of the cable 2, with which cooperates a yoke 5 secured to thepart 3 by means of bolts 6, as an additional clamping means for thecable, so that any endwise pull applied to the cable will be absorbed bythe strain relief fittings at the neck and removed from the contactconnections within the plug.

About the body of the plug A is a sleeve l which is adapted for limitedrotative movement on the body of the plug. The right hand end of thesleeve '1 is adapted to telescopically receive the receptacle member B,when the members are forced by relative endwise movement to effectelectrical connection between their contacts. A spring 8 surrounds thebody of the plug A, and is so connected to the sleeve 7 as to urge thesleeve in one direction of rotative movement. This direction of rotativemovement is such as to normally align the locking members to main? tainthe connector members in coupled relation.

The receptacle B includes, as before stated, a suitably shapedinsulating core carrying the female contacts within a metallic shell 9.Adjacent the entering end of the shell 9 is a pin i0, constituting oneof the locking members.

The sleeve l is formed with an axially extending hood it open at itsentering end, within which is secured a springy tongue l2 having one endsecured to the inner surface of the top of the hood H as by rivets l3and its other end normally bent away from the top of the hood and lyingin the path of the pin Ill.

The receptacle B is provided with a neck l3 and strain relief clamps 4and 5 of the samegeneral character as described with reference to theplus- The sleeve 1 is provided with a plurality oi triangularly shapedslots 0 formed with similar margins 18 extending circumferentlally ofthe sleeve, other margins extending axially of the sleeve, and inclinedmargins I8 which are inclined with respect to the axis of the sleeve.Secured to the bodies of the plugs are screws i9 so disposed that theheads thereof,- when the sleeve is in normal position, lie in the anglesbetween the margins l6 and i8 of the slots.

The plug and receptacle, A and B, of the form of the inventionillustrated in Figure l, are connected together by relative endwisemovement with the pin Ill moving underneath the springy tongue l2 untilthe parts are in connected position, whereupon the end of the springsnaps behind the pin to thus lock the two parts together in coupledrelation. This coupling is achieved without any rotative movement of thesleeve.

To uncouple, the operator grasps the receptacle in one hand and thesleeve in the other hand and gives the sleeve a slight twist,circumferentially of the plug, which thereby moves the engaging end ofthe springy tongue I! away from against the pin, whereupon the parts ormembers may be then separated by relative endwise movements. During suchrotative movement of the sleeve, as described, the margins it of theseveral slots 0 move along the screws IS in circumferential direction. 1

The tension of the spring 8 is sumclent to prevent rotative movement ofthe sleeve 7 under normal use of the connector and to prevent separationof the parts under pulling strains imparted to the cables incidental tonormal uses of the extension line.

However, should an abnormal pulling force be applied to the cables, ifthe plug and receptacle parts were positively connected together againstendwise separation, the chances are that one of the cables would bepulled out of its part causing fireworks and attendant shutting down ofthe line until repairs were made.

The construction of the present invention is such that whenever abnormalpull is applied to the cables, greater than that ordinarily attendant onthe normal use of any branch electrical lines,

and less than that which would result in pulling the cables out of theconnector parts, such-abnormal pull tends to pull the sleeve I to theright, as viewed in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, thus creating pressurebetween the inclined margins IQ of the slots C and the screws l9. Suchpressure causes rotative movement of the sleeve in reverse direction, orin unlocking direction, such that the locking parts are automaticallydisengaged thereby allowing automatic uncoupling of the parts of theconnector.

Figure 3 shows the relationship of the parts when the sleeve 1 has beenmoved axially, and also circumferentially, as occasioned by engagementof the inclined margins 18 of the slots C against the screws I9. As soonas the pin I0 is freed from engagement with the springy tongue I2, thereceptacle and plug members will separate; and the spring 8 will thennormally rotate the sleeve to its normal position, which is that shownin Figures 1 and 2.

Preferably, although not necessarily, there are threeof the triangularslots C per sleeve, as it has been found that the provision of threesuch slots enables ready disconnection of the connector parts byabnormal pull imposed on the cables.

In order to facilitate hand rotation of the sleeve 1, the sleeve may beknurled as at 28, and the receptacle may be knurled as at 2i.

ljn the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive,the receptacle D is provided, with a metallic casing 22 surrounding theinsulating body 23 which carries the female contacts 2d. The plug E isprovided with a metallic casing 25 surrounding the insulating core 26which carries the male contacts 21.

Supported within the casing 22 of the receptacle D, is a sleeve 28adapted for limited rotative movement. The'sleeve 28 is provided with aplurality of slots F shown as having inclined The sleeve 28 of thereceptacle is the plug body for limited rotation, relatively to thesame, or else may be, fixed against rotation.

The receptacle and plug, D and E, are connected together by endwisemovement with the pin 34 on the receptacle riding underneath the springytongue 33 until the parts are in fully engaged position, whereupon thefree end of the spring will 'snap behind the pin thus locking the twoparts together in coupled relation.

In this form of the invention the plug and receptacle are connected byendwise movement, and during suchmovement the sleeve 28 does not rotate.

In the event abnormal force should be imposed on the cables 34 and 35connected respectively to the receptacle D and the plug E, the pull thusoccasioned will cause the inclined margins of the slots F of the sleeve28 to so bear against the pins 36, riding in the slots, as to impartrotative movement to the sleeve in unlocking direction, moving thesleeve from the locking position of Figure 7 "to the unlocked positionof Figure 8.

With the sleeve 28 thus automatically rotated. the plug and receptaclebecome automatically disconnected or uncoupled.

In order to uncouple the plug and receptacle, E and D. by hand, theoperator grasps the sleeve E in one hand and the receptacle D in theother and rotates the same to move the pin 3% out of engagement with thespringy tongue 33, whereupon the parts may be then separated by endwisemovement. To assist in uncoupling the parts D and E by hand, the part Emay be knurled as at 31, and the part D at 38.

The receptacle D and the plug E may be provided with the similar strainrelief fittings as described with respect to Figure 1. for securing thecables 3% and 35 against displacement due to abnormal pull. 7

In some automobile assembly plants, where cars are assembled on movinglines, electrical tools are employed and usually are connected totrolleys which carry the live conductors. Ex-

perience has demonstrated that workmen, using tools attached to suchtrolleys, normally yank the cables between the tools and the trolleys tomove the trolleys along the tracks so that the tools may follow thework. Some times a tool may be left in an automobile as it leaves theproduction line. As the car is pushed ofi the line the trolleyreachesthe end of the overhead track, and stops. In such event, as theconnected tool is still moving with the car, either the cables must bepulled out of the plug or damage be done to the trolley system. When acable is pulled out of a plug, fireworks and short circuit occur,something the industry desires to avoid, as production is curtaileduntil repairs are made.

The connectors of the present invention lend themselves very readily tosuch uses, as because of the automatic uncoupling means of thepresentinvention whenever an abnormal pulling strain is imposed on the cables,the members of a connector automatically separate without destruction tothe cables or the connections to the contacts of the connectors. I

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figures 6-to 10inclusive-the inner end of the sleeve 28 is provided with a tail piece-or lug 39 extending between it and the adjacent end of the casing 22.One end 40 of a flat, curled spring 4| is riveted at 42 to the casingshell. The spring is curled within the casing between the sleeve 28 andthe casing end, as may be observed in Figure 10, and with its other endagainst the lug 39,

normally urging-the sleeve 28 in clockwise direc-' tion (Figure 10) sothat the lug 39 abuts the one end 50 of the spring, as a stop. Thespring normally holds the sleeve 28 in the position shown in Figure 7When endwise pull is applied to the cables, and is of abnormal amount,the sleeve 28 will rotate on the casing 22 to the position of Figure 8.Such movement would be counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 10,expanding the spring 4| slightly. As soon as the pin 34 is, by suchsleeve movement, moved out of engagement with the tongue 33, theconnector members separate, whereupon the spring it functions to returnthe sleeve 28to its normal or locking position.

The present invention has been described herein more or less preciselyas to details, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not tobe limited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement andproportion of parts, and equivalents may be substituted, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A separable electric connector comprising a plug member and areceptacle member, a sleeve on one of said members capable of limitedrotative and axial movement with respect to said one member, lockingmeans including a pin and a springy tongue, one of said locking meansbeing carried by said sleeve, spring means normally urging said sleevein one direction of rotation and one direction of axial movement tomaintain said tongue and pin in aligned relation when said members arein assembled and connected relation and while they are being moved intoas- -sembled '-relation, said sleeve being rotatable in 2. A separableelectric connector comprisingv two connectable members adapted to becoupled and uncoupled by relative endwise movement, plug and socketcontacts carried by said members, a sleeve on one of said memberscapable of limited rotative movement with respect to its member, saidsleeve and the other of said members having cooperating locking elementsfor holding said members in coupled relation, said mem-. bers beingadapted to beassembled in coupled relation'without rotative movement ofsaid sleeve and adapted to be uncoupled by rotative movement of saidsleeve, a spring urging said sleeve in rotative direction to maintain itin locked coupled relation when said members are in assembled position,and means including a pin and an inclined slot margin for causingrotative movement of the sleeve in the opposite direction of rotation toautomatically unlock said members when said members are subjected to apulling force tending to separate them.

3. A separable electrical connector comprising plug and receptaclemembers connectible and disconnectible by relative endwise movement;means to normally lock said members in assembled relation, said meansincluding a sleeve mounted. on one of said members and arranged forlimited rotative movement thereon to move it out of locking position,spring means normally urging said sleeve to locking position, a pin onsaid one member, said sleeve being provided with Y means defining a slothaving an inclined margin working against said pin, said margin beingforced against said pin to automatically rotate said sleeve to unlockingposition when endwise pull is applied to the'connected members toovercome the effect of said spring.

4. A separable connector including a' plug member and a receptaclemember adapted to be connected and disconnected by relative endwisemovement, means for normally locking said members together and includinga sleeve carried by one of said members and arranged thereon for limitedrotative movement in one direction of movement to unlock said members,means carried by said one of said members normally urging said sleeve inan opposite direction of movement, and means carried by said memberscooperable to rotate said sleeve to unlocking position when an abnormalendwise pull is applied to separate the connected members.

5. A separable electric connector including a pair of members carryingplug and socket contacts, respectively, and adapted for connection anddisconnection by relative endwise movement, a sleeve on one of saidmembers, means to normally lock said members in assembled relation,

said locking means including an element carried by said sleeve, saidsleeve being arranged for limited rotative movement in one direction ofmovement on that member to unlock said members, means normally urgingsaid sleeve in an opposite direction of movement, and means carried bysaid members arranged to move said sleeve in said one direction tounlock said members in response to abnormalforce app-lied to separatesaid members. i

6. A separable electric connector comprising a pair of members carryingplug and socket contacts, respectively, and adapted for connection anddisconnection by endwise relative movement, an elongated sleeve on oneof said members, means to normally look said members in assembledrelation and comprising cooperable locking elements, one of saidelements being carried by said elongated sleeve, said sleeve beingarranged for limited rotative movement in one direction of movement onsaid one member to unlock said pair of members, means normally urgingsaid amazes sleeve in an opposite direction or movement, said sleevebeing provided with means defining a slot having a margin inclined tothe longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and a. pin on said one of saidmembers and .engageable by said inclined margin to compel rotatiomofsaid sleeveto unlock said pair of members in response to abnormal forceapplied to separate said members.

7. A plug and receptacle type of connector comprising a pair of membersadapted to be connected and disconnected by relative endwise movement,means carried by said pair of members to normally look them together inassembled relation, the locking means carried by one of said membersbeing arranged for limited rotative and axial movement on that member,means normally urging the locking means carried by said one member inone direction of rotative movement and also in one direction of axialmovement, said locking means carried by said one member being arrangedmovable in an opposite dlrection of axial movement in response to anabnormal force applied to said pair of members to separate them, andmeans eirective when said locking means on said one member moves axiallyin response to the applied force to rotate said locking means in anopposite direction of rotative movement and causerelease of said pair ofmembers.

8. A separable electric connector comprising an elongated plug memberand an elongated receptacle member adapted to be coupled and uncoupledby relative endwise movement, means to normally hold said members inlocked assembled .relation and arranged to effect release of saidmembers when an abnormal pull is applied in use to said members toseparate them, said means including a locking element on one of saidmembers and arranged for limited rotativemovement about the longitudinalaxis thereof, means-normally urging said element in one direction ofrotative movement, and means to compel movement of said element in anopposite direction of rotative movement to unlock said members uponrelative endwise movement of said members, while in locked relation, dueto an abnormal pull applied to said members.

WILLIAM A. WULLE.

